'Political technology' is a Russian term for the professional engineering of politics. It has turned Russian politics into theatre and propaganda, and metastasised to take over foreign policy and weaponise history. The war against Ukraine is one outcome. In the West, spin doctors and political consultants do more than influence media or run campaigns: they have also helped build parallel universes of alternative political reality. Hungary has used political technology to dismantle democracy. The BJP in India has used it to consolidate unprecedented power. Different countries learn from each other. Some types of political technology have become notorious, like troll farms or data mining; but there is now a global wholesale industry selling a range of manipulation techniques, from astroturfing to fake parties to propaganda apps. This book shows that 'political technology' is about much more than online disinformation: it is about whole new industries of political engineering.

‘… outstanding, detailed, and exciting treatment of the empirical case studies.’

Stefan Matern Source: Portal for Political Science

‘Wilson is a gifted thinker and a compelling writer. Among his book’s many qualities is its conceptual richness. It describes the many players and elements of political engineering within diverse national settings. Beyond the familiar trolls and bots, readers encounter a wonderland of shadow parties, rent-a-mobs, pink slime, the Kochtopus, grechka firms, cyber yodhas, Russians in Israel, and Israelis everywhere. For such a heavy topic, the prose is refreshingly light.’

Lucas Kello Source: Perspectives on Politics